Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-09-21

differences OF opinion eliminated several
years ago in division Of property, the old
members leaving the homestead to the
children, while the elders betook them
selves 10 new location n half mile dis
tant from the original nest. The young
people in the old home kent
the old name. "The Icarian Com
munity," and the old people
called their split of "The New Icarians.D
The latter in their new location built after
the old plan Of grouping their cottages
around n square, In the center Of which
was n large building used for lecture,
amusement, dining and cooking purposes.
They believe In the sacredness of the mar
Tiage relation, aud each family has its own
home, but all eat together in the central
dining room. The elders took with them TO
their new home large library and a fine
collection of instruments for scientific ex-
periments. Among the older members
were men Of profound learning, and in the
earlier days of their life here the lecture
hall was the scene OF many a fine exposi-
ton of scientific subjects. Many OF them,
too, possessed histriOnic talent, and Sun
day evening was usually given up to the
performance of some theatrical play.
For several years they printed little
weekly paper upon type brought from
France. lcaria stands upon n pretty emf
hence three miles east of this place, south
Of the railroad track, and i'm plain view Of
the car windows. This is in Adams Coun-
~, in the southwestern part of the State.
The chief occupation OF the Icarians is
agriculture, in which they have been mod
erately successful. While thrifty, careful,
economical and industrious, they do not
think that the sole aim Of life Is TO work
hard and hoard up money. They have
some highly ethereal ideas, which, indeed,
~ they could be made 20 work, would bring
n millennial period to mankind. They be-
lieve that the man who lives quietly and
calmly, developing his mental and moral
faculties, and emancipating himself from
the hnser cares and demands of 'the
world, the flesh and the devil" does wisely
and we'll, however poor he may be. When
the long time quiet and peaceful commu-
nifty became twain there was n MEN,
hership Of one hundred and fifty or
more. Young and ambitious members
withdrew every once in n while, the COM
munity paying them n stipend from the
common treasury, and Off they went TO try
life on the American plan of "every man
for himself and the devil take the hind
most" When the split took place the
older heads took away forty OF fifty per-
sons, most OF them white haired, venerable
old people, whose very appearance seems
10 prove that the claim they make of living
n better and more advanced life than those
Of the world around them is not altogether
rroundless. They are proverbial for their
politeness and demeanOr TO each other and
20 those with whom they come in contact.
The young colony is anxious to sell its
land and go 20 California, where a good
Of e. II
Within few years at the most this re-
markable experiment in communistic life
will live only In history.
Iowa has one other communal society,
the Inspirationists, at Amana, in Iowa
County. This society, however, is rich,
its possessions covering some 5000 acres
Of land, with population exceeding 800,
divided into seven villages. The people
engage variOusly i'm manufacturing and
farming. They have several wooden, saw
and grist mills aud tannerics, and their
goods are staple articles in the market
Each family has its house, like the
Icariaus, and all cook and cat together in
centrals. At the table, however, the men
and women are separated "to prevent silly
conversation and trihing conduct" At
the head Of tho organization is a woman
who is supposed by the members 10 speak
~ Nhc huNNh lh0llAhtloil VI Oous' ltcnCe
their name. They came from Germany to
New York State in 1872, and TO Iowa in 1856.
The society owes its foundation to an ig-
norant servant maid, who for many years
was the INSPIRED oracle" Of Amana. The
name AmRna is taken from the Song Of
Solomon, w., &. Though a woman founded
the society and is considered the "oracle"
through whom come the commands of God,
yet tho women of the community are re-
quired to work hard, dress plainly, and
avoid association with mankind, notwith-
standing which there are marriages and
much domestic comfort and happiness.
One Of their leading writer's advises men
20 ely from intercourse with women as n
very dangerous, magnetic and magical
fire." Amusements generally are forbid
den; even photographs and pictures are
not allowed. Their rules OF daily life arc
very strict and severe, enjoining absti-
ncnce, penitence and deep devotion. This
society Is successful, financially, to say
the least. The members are good citizens,
ray their taxes, avoid litigation, and, il
they find happiness in complying with
their rigid rules Of government, who can
say them nay?